Life creates many opportunities

[RedWolfHowlin]

I had the chance to chat with a friend this weekend. It was a great chat about his situation and helped clarify what exactly was going on with him now. It really helped put life into perspective for me once again.

My friend, in his early 40s, has gone through a rather difficult year with the onslaught of stomach cancer and the intensive chemo therapy. It had been in remission and yet he found out about a week ago that it is back in full force and spreading throughout his body. He will start treatment again tomorrow for an attempt to fight the disease. While he would not acknowledge it, the odds are slim to none for recovery. His spirit remains good throughout this experience.

The most unfortunate part is the future for his wife and 5 children (3rd grade to freshman in college). As a father of 5 myself (4 - 13 years old), the thought of the children without their father is almost unimaginable. The lack of full health insurance and loads of savings only adds to the burden on the entire family.

I wanted to put this out there as an acknowledgment of mine that life is oh so precious. I have gone through this once before with another friend that passed away after fighting Leukemia. He left a wife and young daughter.

In this time of need for support, my thoughts and prayers are with my friend and his family. Be strong MK and here's to a miracle for you!!

 

[T.K.C.]

Prayers out to your friend!! I am very sorry that he is going through that. I can not imagine what he is going through. It is wonderful that he is in good spirits. That will do him wonders!!

I have been through a lot of rough stuff in my life, and it is taught me to not take anything or anyone for granted. That is just one of the lessons I have learned through the years. I do not take anything or anyone for granted. Each moment of my life is very precious to me, and so are the people that I call friend, and my family.

 

[TIZWIN]

Life is fleeting, punctuated by both beauty and ugliness. Your friend's situation reminds me to count my blessings; kiss my wife, hug my friends, smell the flowers.

My thoughts will be with him and his family. You are a good friend to post this.

 

[OldPhysics]

Very sorry to hear. We had an echo of this in our family -- I no longer have a brother-in-law (a fine man, by the way!).

Wishing all the best for your friend, Ron. It's going to be tough and he's going to need your emotional support. Believe me.

 

[Bufford]

Life can seem so unfair at times, however, I hope that you will find peace and strength from within. Smoke sent.

 

[RedWolfHowlin]

Thanks guys.

As much as I try not to take life for granted, something like this reminds me of the many people and things in my life to be thankful for. And as much as I think my life has been challenging the past couple of years, this reminds me to reflect on the how fortunate I am for many reasons.

As another note, I spoke with another friend yesterday to get an update on his house situation. He had his house burn to the ground about a month ago and lost all contents in the house including the pets. His battle is with the insurance company on content value and the amount of money they are going to pay him. Thank goodness they were not in the house at the time.

OP - Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Prayers and thoughts, bro.

 

[RedWolfHowlin]

Well, my friend passed on to the other world yesterday. He fought hard until the end with such a positive attitude. I wish I could have been there more to see him through this tough time of his life. I am comforted by knowing that he was loved by many and surrounded by many friends the past year. I will miss seeing his smiling face and wonderful outlook on life.

At the young age of 42, he leaves behind his wife and 5 children. I know that they will miss him dearly as he was a great husband and father. I wish and pray for them to find peace and comfort in knowing that he is a great man.

R.I.P. my friend MK.

 

[OldPhysics]

Thanks guys.

As much as I try not to take life for granted, something like this reminds me of the many people and things in my life to be thankful for. And as much as I think my life has been challenging the past couple of years, this reminds me to reflect on the how fortunate I am for many reasons.

As another note, I spoke with another friend yesterday to get an update on his house situation. He had his house burn to the ground about a month ago and lost all contents in the house including the pets. His battle is with the insurance company on content value and the amount of money they are going to pay him. Thank goodness they were not in the house at the time.

OP - Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Prayers and thoughts, bro.

My thanks...and my condolences for your recent loss. If only...

My BIL, Don, was also a fighter. He didn't give up -- the cancer just finished him off. He went out with his head held high.

We come, we go. It's the same for all of us. I forget who said it, but it's not important how much time you have...what's important is what you DO with the time you have. Don lived a good life -- and I'm sure MK did, too.

 

[Andrew Taylor]

My thoughts and prayers are with your friend's family.

My late wife died in 1994 by cancer, leaving me with her four children, and two of them had lost their father in a swimming pool accident when he drowned. The only thing I can give you are encouragement is that those 4 children turned out to be good adults.